Sunday, September 23, 2007

Nothing a Few Cocktails Can't Fix

I’m feeling a little better about things after a little holiday from mothering this weekend. My mom’s been here for a few days, allowing me to hit the pub with my new classmates Thursday night. McHotty was even able to hook up with us later in the evening too. I had a really good time. And once a few beers loosened my tongue, I talked to a few people about feeling intimidated and it turns out I’m not alone. Phew.

My dear mom got up with Cakes the last two mornings and took her to the park, freeing me to read my ass off and get ahead a little. I also managed to hit my neighbours’ annual bash last night, which was, as always, a riot. I managed to refuse all but two of the many trays of shooters floating under my nose, and put the cap on my wineglass at around 1 am, allowing me to hit the books unencumbered by a splitting headache this morning (wish I could say the same of Thurs night).

So, I’m thinking I can manage all of this after all. The only problem is, since Cakes started school she has given up on napping. This is my worst nightmare. I don’t need to tell you how much my thin thread of sanity depends on a reliable nap time.

20 Comments:

Is she at school all day?? If not she might not be napping in the afternoon because she's excited to see you since she didn't in the morning and wants to hang out. On my days off from work Samantha doesn't nap either because she just wants to play with me...but it's slowly going back to routine. This is probably just a phase Cakes is going through since she just started preschool....

I meant to comment on that last post about feeling intimidated by grad school. I'm so with you there. My main issue is that the program I am in is almost exclusively teachers already. So much of what we'll do this semester will be easier if you are a teacher.

It's all making me feel a little bipolar. My husband must be getting whiplash from my constant swing between I can do this-no big deal to what was I thinking-I need to quit.

I'm glad you found a place and some people with whom you could share. I tend to just run on at the mouth so everyone I'm around at grad school is aware of my insecurites, but I can see that they too are stressed and intimidated, just by different aspects of the program.

I know you are going to do great, though.

About the nap, it depends on the kid. I hope she does resume a nap for you but she is also old enough to start having a designated quiet time in her room. She could probably manage 15 - 30 minutes to play quietly or lay down but not have to sleep. It might give you a little space.

I think that nearly all grad students feel themselves to be imposters at some level. I know I do. (It still drives me nuts that the way some react to this feeling is to go into overdrive of know-it-all-ness).

As for napping, I agree with the earlier comment that even if she's giving up a nap, you can probably work on 'quiet time' in her room to buy yourself a little down time.

Hi! A fellow grad student mama here, yay! Lately (everything is temporary) on our mommy days my son sleeps longer, I think because he can't sleep too long at day care (orphanage) and needs to catch up. Last week I had missed him so much and was so excited to spend the morning with him, and he slept the whole morning. And then I'm all needy mom, like, here! Let's play with these blocks! And he's all, duh, I just want to bang on this pan, don't you have something to do? I guess the grass is always greener...

I'm not going to be a huge help with this one, as naps and routine are how I get through my days. I fear - no, I am flat out terrified - of the time where Peanut drops one of her naps. It's looked threatening a couple of times for the morning nap, and I know we are on the cusp, and it makes me want to cry just a little bit.

Good luck! Hopefully the nap thing is temporary. Otherwise, is it wrong to slip gravol into the sippy cup? Joking. Mostly.

My advice is to keep laying her down, whether she sleeps or not. Let her read books or do something else quietly in her bed. I think the nap will return. My 5 year old still naps daily. He's none too pretty by evening if he doesn't get his sleep.